Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf took office after running on a platform embracing clean energy, but coupled with the reality that he will have to work with a strongly conservative legislature to develop joint priorities on energy and policies. Gov. Wolf’s administration is bringing some new faces to state departments and the Public Utility Commission, which efficiency and clean energy advocates hope will put the state on a more progressive path. This could include formal entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Regulators and utilities delivered several important decisions and filings recently. The first was an Order extending Act 129 — the state’s energy efficiency and conservation program — for another five years and reviving the state’s dormant retail demand response program. However, the same order failed to expand program funding beyond the legislatively assigned two percent of 2006 utility revenues, limiting savings targets to about .8 percent of retail sales. Subsequently, Duquesne Light and Power, Metropolitan Edison, Penelec, PennPower, WestPenn Power, PECO, and PPL submitted their Act 129 Phase III plans.

The second Order revised the Commonwealth’s cost-effectiveness screening processes to include savings associated with reduced water and fossil fuel consumption.

Complementary Policies

Pennsylvania has not had significant activity in regards to building energy codes in recent years, which are governed by its Uniform Construction Code. Its code currently references the 2009 IECC for residential buildings and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings.